Resumption of Services
In response to the reopening of airspace over Saudi Arabia and Oman, Air India and Air India Express have announced a significant increase in flight operations
for March 8, planning to operate more than 50 flights. These flights will serve six different cities across the Middle East, aiming to re-establish connectivity and assist passengers. This strategic move is designed to accommodate travelers affected by previous disruptions, ensuring they can resume their journeys. The airlines are prioritizing the resumption of both scheduled and non-scheduled services to facilitate smoother travel experiences for a multitude of passengers during this period of evolving air travel conditions in the region.
Scheduled Flights Detail
On March 8, a robust schedule of flights will operate to Oman and Saudi Arabia. Air India Express will connect Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, and Mangaluru with Muscat, operating multiple routes like Mumbai-Muscat-Mumbai (IX235/IX236) and Delhi-Muscat-Delhi (IX163/IX164), among others. Air India will maintain its scheduled services to Jeddah from Delhi and Mumbai, with flight numbers AI2255/AI2256 and AI2245/AI2246 respectively. Additionally, Air India Express will also operate scheduled flights to Jeddah from Kozhikode, Mangaluru, and Bengaluru. These operations are contingent upon regulatory approvals, and passengers are strongly advised to verify the latest information directly with the airlines.
Additional Non-Scheduled Flights
Beyond the regular schedule, Air India and Air India Express are launching additional non-scheduled flights, particularly focusing on the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Air India will operate flights between Delhi and Mumbai to Dubai. Air India Express is set to run 30 extra flights connecting various Indian cities with UAE destinations including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah. Specific routes include Mumbai-Dubai-Mumbai (IX2117/IX2118) and Kochi-Ras Al Khaimah-Kochi (IX1123/IX1125). For Oman, Air India Express will offer additional services from Mumbai and Delhi to Muscat. These supplementary flights are primarily intended for passengers with existing bookings who may have been affected by earlier cancellations, prioritizing their travel needs.
Flight Cancellations & Rebooking
In parallel to the increased operations, certain flights remain cancelled. Air India Express has cancelled all scheduled flights to and from Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Kuwait, and Riyadh until March 13. Similarly, Air India has cancelled its scheduled services to Dammam, Doha, and Riyadh until March 10. Passengers booked on these cancelled flights are provided with flexible options: they can either rebook their travel to a future date without any additional charges or opt for a full refund. Information on how to manage these bookings, including contact details for customer support and website instructions, is readily available from the respective airlines for passenger convenience.
